UB Carnival gets a boost

SHARE | Tuesday, 09 February 2016 | By Ontametse Sugar

The University of Botswana (UB) has received P576 775 boost from FNB Foundation to use in hosting the country’s first ever carnival next month. The first carnival by the University is slated for March 2016 and it is expected to comprise of a theatre festival produced and managed by UBFACE which is an initiative by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts programme at the university.

An array of activities are expected which include carnival parade, a variety of music and dance performances and a theatre festival featuring plays produced by the University of Botswana students and a few theatre groups from the community. UBFACE Project Director Connie Rapoo hailed the partnership as a crucial factor that will enhance the creativity of Botswana’s entertainment and theatre industry. “The entertainment and creative industries in Botswana can only be established and sustained through collaborative partnerships,” Rapoo said.

When handing over the donation FNB Foundation’s Lesedinyana Odiseng said it was a great honour to be launching the initiative since it’s the first of its kind. “The launch of the first Carnival under the Department of Visual and Performing Arts is a historic development for Botswana’s arts industry in itself,” he said. Odiseng said with the creative arts industry generating billions across the world, creating jobs and having birthed the writings of great history for generations, many nations have proven that not only does arts and entertainment industry stimulates and entertains, it also goes on to innovate new discoveries and even change local and international cultures and commerce. He applauded the University of Botswana for establishing such ground breaking initiative which will go on for five days.